Like Ned in Recreation of Thrones, the vendor of as we speak’s Good Value or No Cube BMW sees winter approaching and desires to arrange. Meaning a 4WD rather than the Bimmer’s convertible prime. Let’s see if we’re ready for its asking value.
A 2000 Toyota MR2 Spyder is a troublesome promote to a crowd that thinks the reply is at all times a Miata. That was the problem dealing with the vendor of the ‘Mister Two’ we checked out final Friday, and at a $11,495 asking, it wasn’t profitable many converts. It didn’t win in our voting, both, taking residence an amazing 85 p.c No Cube loss for its un-Miata-ness.
Again within the yr 1968, pop legend Harry Nilsson plaintively crooned, “One is the loneliest quantity that you just’ll ever do.” Three Canine Evening took that track and made it in style with the crowds, operating all of it the best way as much as quantity 5 on the Billboard Sizzling 100. Being ‘One’ might have as soon as been a tragic sack’s lament, however that didn’t cease BMW from constructing a full line of 1 Collection vehicles, and these are enjoyable for every body.
This 2011 BMW 128i convertible is a type of, and never solely is it a decade newer than the Toyota MR2 Spyder we thought-about final Friday, nevertheless it’s additionally extra useful. It affords 4 seats as an alternative of two, has extra baggage area, and, with 228 horsepower on faucet from its 3.0-liter N52 straight six, it has virtually 100 extra ponies underneath the hood.
BMW launched the coupe (E82) and convertible (E88) editions of the 1 Collection as an homage to the 02 line of vehicles from the late ’60s and early ’70s. These vehicles share a platform with a line of three and five-door hatchbacks, however BMW properly selected to not convey these to the U.S., the place they might have needed to compete in opposition to the vastly higher VW GTI in a market that’s not all that eager on scorching hatches anymore. The coupe and convertible, nevertheless, appear like Shrinky-Dink variations of the three Collection, and plenty of individuals love these.
At present, BMW nonetheless sells the 1 Collection as a hatch in markets exterior the States, however because of the firm’s shift in naming conference, the coupe model (the convertible is not any extra) has been spun off by itself and is now branded as a 2.
Our convertible is a 1, and we’re going to provide it the once-over to see if we predict that’s a constructive quantity.
The E8x line was designed in the course of the Bangle period, and that’s evident within the automotive’s swayback decrease door edge and pulled taffy headlamp design. The remainder of the automotive has an actual E46 vibe, and many of the design’s extra flamboyant features are masked by this automotive’s black paint. That paint, by the best way, seems to be in stable form and is well-paired with the brilliant silver Type 360 wheels. Atop all that could be a black canvas convertible roof that additionally seems to be in wonderful situation.
It’s an analogous story within the cabin, with no obvious points with the upholstery, trim, or switchgear. It’s in right here the place you’ll discover this E88’s celebration piece, which is the shifter for the automotive’s Basic Motors-sourced six-speed guide transmission.
That’s an uber-rare choice on these vehicles, making this a little bit of a standout. All the things else right here is aimed toward consolation and comfort, with energy home windows and locks, automated local weather management, heated seats, and a push-button begin.
In line with the vendor, mechanically, the automotive is ideal. It has lately undergone a considerable spherical of vendor upkeep and repairs, masking many of the main ache factors. It’s not been a storage queen both, because it has carried out 134,096 miles so far, racked up by its two house owners.
A clear title tops off this little Bimmer’s excessive factors, and the vendor makes the added boast that that is the one guide 128i at the moment listed in California. We’ll should resolve if that sways us in contemplating the automotive’s $12,000 asking value.
What’s your tackle this 128i asking for that sort of cabbage? Is {that a} truthful value for a uncommon and seemingly well-kept automotive carrying the blue and white Roundel? Or is that an excessive amount of for a mini Bimmer?
You resolve!
San Francisco Bay Space, California, Craigslist, or go right here if the advert disappears.
H/T to Don R. for the hookup!
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